AFLW: Marinoff keen to improve

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 3: Ally Anderson of the Lions is tackled by Ebony Marinoff of the Crows during the 2018 AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Norwood Oval on February 3, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

To win the two premierships in the year was pretty incredible.

Ebony Marinoff

An AFLW premiership, All Australian selection and the winner of the inaugural NAB AFLW Rising Star award.

Not bad for a 19-year-old.

But Adelaide star Ebony Marinoff wasn't satisfied.

So, in the quest to improve ahead of the competition's second season, she packed up her bags and moved to Melbourne for the winter to play with VFLW powerhouse Darebin Falcons.

Sharing a house with Melbourne teammate Elise O'Dea, and playing alongside the who's who of women's football – Daisy Pearce, Darcy Vescio and Katie Brennan to name a few – Marinoff became a double premiership winner with the Falcons, who won their fifth straight.

"To win the two premierships in the year was pretty incredible," Marinoff toldAFL.com.au.

"I've learned lots in the past year from being at the Adelaide Crows, and then to be with those Melbourne girls, and see how they live their lives, and then to come back and head down, bum up and get on with pre-season to give it my all to have another big AFLW season.

"It's been a whirlwind past couple of years."

After four years in the SAWFL with Morphettville Park, and three titles, Marinoff, now 20, took herself out of her comfort zone to take her football to the next level.

"The opportunity came up to go to Victoria and challenge myself, and it's something I wanted to do for a while," Marinoff said.

"Learning from someone like Daisy Pearce, who without her, this League probably wouldn't exist, was amazing.

"I've got so much respect for her and always have, but to see how much energy she puts into club level, she's just a remarkable human being.

"I absolutely loved my time at the Falcons and I was very lucky to have the opportunity to do it."

Marinoff has formed an almost instant connection at the Crows with Erin Phillips, the former professional basketballer who made an amazing transition to footy, winning almost every major AFLW award on offer.

"I remember 'Flip' (Phillips) walked in the door in the changerooms at our pre-season in 2016, and we clicked instantly and been best mates ever since," Marinoff said.

"What she brings outside of football, she's got the skills and she knows how to really push you. "However, I hate doing weights in the gym with Flip because she doesn't let you off easy."

Marinoff's focus is firmly on the Crows and helping them retain their title, starting with Saturday night's Grand Final rematch with Brisbane at Norwood Oval.

She'll play an integral role in the Crows' midfield having led the competition in tackles with 10 per game last season.

She was also in the top-10 for disposals, inside 50s, effective kicks, hard-ball gets and contested possessions.

'Noffy' emerged as one of the most entertaining characters in AFLW with her post-game interviews and social media posts.

"I wouldn't be the joker (of the team), I'd probably be the ratbag, the most annoying," Marinoff laughed.

"I like to have a good time, but when I'm on the field, I definitely try and get the job done."

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs